Fire escape chute support



Aug. 7, 1945.

H. D. ELWOOD 2,381,810 FIRE ESCAPE CHUTE SUPPORT Filed July 21, 1943 INVENTOR HA PLANO D. ELWO o0 HIS A77'OEN Patented Aug. 7

- This invention re'lates to fire escape apparatus and particularly to supports or mountings for flexible chutes.

An object of the present invention is to generally improve chute supports or terminal frames and the method of constructing the same. In Patent 2,297,544 I disclose a terminal frame or support constructed of a plurality of hollow steel tubes welded to one another. In this application I disclose a terminal frame or support, which has the same general characteristics as the one previously disclosed, but a support which is much more economical to manufacture and simpler to assemble, and one which is comparatively strong- 1 er in construction.

In the improved device herein disclosed, I 'use hollow tubing as previouslydescribed, but instead of welding the tubular sections direct to one another, I interpose pre-formed connecting members at the principal joints. I This method of construction permits me to use stock with straight out ends and eliminates the use of saddle joints. This method of construction also enables me to employ ordinary labor in assembling the frames instead of highly skilled welders. This reduces the time required to assemble a frame and at the same time produces a frame which has much greater structural strength.

The foregoing objects and advantages and others will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being madefrom time to time to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this disclosure, in which drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal frame, or support for a flexible chute embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section illustrating the manner in which the carrying eyebolt is secured. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a stamping, comprising one-half of a connecting member.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the stamping shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the terminal frame has two sides,

' each of which comprises a front strut I, back struts 8 and 9,-cross member I0, and intermediate telescoping members I I, I2, and I3, all of which are. formed and secured together as hereinafter I described. The two sides are connected together by a plurality of horizontal tie members I4, I5, I6, and I1. The tie members I5 andIG are'preferably reinforced by vertical members I8. It will haken. niwoda, nam rm cnj j A. Eastman, Wya'ndo Aspirat on duly 21,194s,%ser ia No. 495 114-" (clfzz'va'si" I l stems be noted th at thetelescoping-member I I ispr'o-. vided with a'nextens'i'on IIa which forms a foot which is intended to ride against the outside wall of the building when the device is in use. The telescoping member I2 is also provided with an extension 'I2a, which overhangs the strut 8 to form a bearing member which rests on top of the window ledge when the device-is in use. With this construction and arrangement it will be seen, as previous disclosed, that practically all of the weight of the device is carried on the bearing member I2a, and the foot Ila when the device is in use. Each. of the connecting members II, I2, and I3, is preferably formed by stamping out two matched sections (Figs. 4 and 5), and welding them together to form the respective members. Each of the members II, I2, and I3, is

formed with a flared portion I9, which form sockets 20 (Fig. 5), into which the ends of the struts 1 'I, 8, 9, and II] are adapted to telescope. The struts and the connecting members arethen welded together and finished in any suitable manner.

Eyebolts 2| are extended through holes 22,

formed in the front struts I, and are provided with nuts 23, which are welded in position before the struts are assembled. The eyebolts 2| are adapted to secure the carrying strap 2Ia to the frame. The connecting members I3, are provided with rings I3a to which the flexible chute (not shown) is attached.

The device is provided with the same stabilizing mechanism as disclosed in the patent referred to hereinabove.

This stabilizing mechanism comprises U-' shaped brackets 24, which are bolted as at 25, to the connecting members I2. The bracket 24 is provided with a bearing clamp 26, hooked rod 21, and handle 28, which function as disclosed in the patent hereinabove referred to.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the characterdescribed, the combination of two end members secured together by a plurality of tie members, each of said end members consisting of a substantially vertical strut, a short angular strut, a long angular strut, telescoping members connecting the rewhich there is a cross member extending from said last named telescoping member to said long strut.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, in

which there is a cross member extending from 5. The combination defined in claim 1, includ h ing universally movable anchoring meanssecured to said last named telescoping member.

6. The combination defined in claim 1, in c1uding universally movable anchoring means secured to said last named telescoping 'member,' and chute carrying means secured to one ofsaid.

other telescoping members.

7. The combination defined in claim 1,- in

which each of said telescoping members'is made with at least two sockets adapted to engage the ends of said struts.

8. A terminal frame for a flexible chute comprising two end members adapted to be supported atan angle against a wall, said end members being secured together by a plurality of transverse tie members, each of said end members consisting of a plurality of tubular struts e ured. geth r, by in erme ate te e members togsubstantiallyj fornra trapelgoid.

"9." The combination "defined in" claim 8, in

which two of the telescoping members of each "said end member are provided with bearing elet ments-,-'and at least one of the telescoping members of ,each end member is provided with means to secure v the device to a building.

'10; The combination defined in claim 8, in

whichconerofthe"telescoping members of each end member is provided with means to support a flexible chute.

, i \I-IARLAND D. 'ELWOOD. 

